Top 10 in 2013: Controversies

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10. Mickelson vs. taxes

After January's Humana Challenge, Phil Mickelson said he would make "drastic changes" because of federal and California state tax increases, hinting he might leave his home state. The controversy was revived in July when he won the Scottish and British Opens, for more than $2 million in prize money, but it was reported he had to forfeit 61 percent of that in Scottish and U.S. taxes.

9. Tiger's drop at The Players

There was no definitive proof Tiger Woods' drop after hitting his tee shot into the water at the par-4 14th Sunday at The Players was illegal. His playing competitor, Casey Wittenberg, said it was proper. But some fans and analysts, looking at various angles of the tee shot, believed Woods was too generous with his crossing point. Woods went on to make double bogey and also went on to win the event.

8. Guan's slow-play penalty at the Masters

Some believed it was just (man, is that kid slow). Some felt it was a crying shame (how dare they call that on a 14-year-old). But referee John Paramor hit Guan Tianlang with a slow-play penalty on the 17th hole in the second round of the Masters, creating a brief firestorm at Augusta National (until the flames were fanned in another direction Saturday). Guan still made the cut and received low amateur honors.

7. McIlroy's walk-off at the Honda Classic

In the second round of the Honda Classic, Rory McIlroy walked off the course on his ninth hole. He was 7 over for the day. Before exiting the premises, he told reporters: "I'm not in a great place mentally." He then blamed his premature departure on a toothache. He eventually apologized and promised it would never happen again, but quitting is now part of his legacy.

6. Chamblee's Tiger comments

Brandel Chamblee didn't call Tiger Woods a cheater. But he inferred it. In a column for golf.com, Chamblee graded Woods' season an F, saying he was "cavalier with the rules." That sent Tiger's agent into a tizzy and had people calling for Chamblee's professional head. Chamblee apologized - for creating controversy, not for his comments - and said he would no longer write for outlets other than Golf Channel.

5. Singh, deer-antler spray and the PGA Tour

In a January Sports Illustrated article, Vijay Singh admitted to using deer-antler spray, which contains IGF-1, a banned substance on the PGA Tour. That's when the weird got really weird: the Tour suspended Singh; Singh appealed and continued to play; the Tour dropped its doping allegation after a review by the World Anti-Doping Agency; Singh sued the Tour on the eve of The Players. The suit has yet to be resolved and neither has the controversy.

4. Garcia's 'fried chicken' comment regarding Tiger

During a European Tour awards dinner in May, Sergio Garcia was asked if he would have Tiger Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open. He responded with, 'We will have him 'round every night. We will serve fried chicken.' Oh. No. Garcia (as well as those who came to his defense) was lambasted by media and fans. Woods and Garcia shook hands at Merion, but their previously fractured relationship appears to be irrevocably broken.

3. Anchored putting decision

After much debate, the USGA and R&A announced in May the ban of the anchored stroke, beginning in 2016. Lawsuits were threatened and bifurcation became a buzz word. Despite backlash, and after a review process, the governing bodies stood firm and plan to initiate the ban on Jan. 1, 2016.

2. Tiger's penalty at the BMW Championship

Did it move? Did it just oscillate? A videographer captured the evidence in Round 2 of the BMW Championship. Tiger Woods was adamant his ball did not move as he tried to remove loose items around it. Rules official Slugger White disagreed. After a heated exchange in the scoring trailer, Woods was assessed a two-stroke penalty.

1. Tiger's Masters drop

The short version: Tiger hits flagstick. Ball ricochets into water. Tiger takes drop. Tiger signs card. Viewer tells Augusta National the drop was improper. Tiger tells TV reporter where he dropped. Augusta National realizes Tiger took bad drop, based on what he said. But Tiger has already signed card. Augusta National meets with Woods Saturday morning. Augusta National invokes Rule 33-7 and assesses Tiger two-stroke penalty. No DQ. Tiger plays on. People passionately debate whether or not Tiger should have DQ'd himself. And why didn't Augusta National inform him of call-in immediately? Debate still rages.